Getting to Know the Idaho Falls Mayoral Candidates

As summer comes to a close and kids head back to school, residents in Idaho Falls are gearing up towards what will most likely be a huge mayoral race. So far three people have filed to become official candidates.

Sharon Parry, Rebecca Casper and Timothy Downs are the three candidates we know of so far.

We spoke to each of them to see why they think they’d make the best mayor of Idaho Falls.

“I have over 20 years of voting record in the city of Idaho Falls. It started with Traffic and Safety commission, then Parks and Rec commission, and then City Council for the last six years” said Parry.

“I am a mother, I’ve raised my children here and continuing to raise my family here, I’m invested in this community for that reason, I have been involved in enough volunteer work and enough community work and economic development work that I know that Idaho Falls needs some new leadership right now” said Casper.

“Recently you know, all that’s out there is I’m a police officer, well yeah, I’ve been a police officer for 19 years but I’m a father, I used to own a business, I’m a vet, a retired vet, I have a couple of college degrees, so I have a wide spectrum of skills and abilities outside of law enforcement” said Downs.

We also wanted to know what some of the main issues are they are planning to tackle as a new mayor.

“First and foremost safety, that includes fire, police, EMS and even safe drinking water, the mayor’s office needs to be concerned about that also…and then second, an economically vibrant city where we have a tax levy rate that is conducive to developers coming in and building in Idaho Falls” continued Parry.

“To my mind economic development needs to be the Mayor’s #1 priority, it doesn’t set well with me when we lose opportunities to grow or to attract businesses here to our community and so I want to do whatever I can as mayor to streamline the process from start to finish for when a new business wants to come in” continued Casper.

“The most important thing to me is accountability to the electorate, I think that’s been missing, I’m old enough that I understand wants and needs, I believe the people of Idaho Falls are old enough to understand the difference between wants and needs “continued Downs.

The deadline to file for Mayor of Idaho Falls is September 6th.

Elections will be on November 5th.

We will have more from these candidates and others who may file in the near future.

I have nothing against Casper or Downs, but this article says it all: Parry has the experience! Casper's entire segment focused on her own family; what about Idaho Falls? Downs focused on his employment with law enforcement: again, what about Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls doesn't need someone with a little experience here and there or just "enough volunteer work," ; we need someone who knows EXACTLY how to help Idaho Falls from first-hand experience. That person is Sharon Parry. She has worked in local government positions longer than all other candidates combined. Vote Parry! http://www.sharonparry.org/

Rebecca Casper is a fresh voice. I heard her speak at a neighborhood event. She is knowledgeable and wants to attract jobs, keep taxes reasonable and boost tourism, City parks and more. Casper is the right one for the next Mayor.